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Post by Gladden Grace on Sept 9, 2014 21:58:23 GMT -5
Ok, so I got my THM book about a month or two ago, and I was super excited to start trying out all of their totally awesome-sounding dessert recipes, right?
Haha, how adorable.
My first official recipe were the Best Macaroon Cookies (p. 376). I was really looking forward to the end product because I seriously love macaroons. Whilst I was standing in the kitchen waiting for my oven to heat up, I quickly dipped my finger in to the mixture that I had toiled over to taste the chocolate coconutty goodness--and was met with a nasty surprise. In spit of my following the recipe exactly, I was met with a salty, bitter batch of macaroons that could not even be cured with a dollop of peanut butter on top.
Ok, I thought, no biggie, it's just one bad recipe. All cookbooks have one and I happened to use it.
So I moved on.
My second try was a valiant one. A best friend was having a belated birthday bash and I decided with an iron will that I would not partake in the disgusting, overly-sweet desserts that are usually offered, instead bringing a beautiful batch of Peanut Squares (p. 377) topped with some Skinny Chocolate for a bit of added decadence. And what was I met with? A very.....interestingly flavored pan of not-too-appetizing-looking....thingies. Thingies whose crust betrayed them and crumbled in your hands.
On I forged, determined to find AT LEAST ONE delicious dessert recipe in the whole stinkin' book.
Ha. No.
Ginger Snaps? Gut-wrenching. Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies? Hard to choke down. Choco Pudding? An insult to my kitchen. Volcano Mudslide Muffin? You mean just Mud Muffin?
And on the list goes!
Just this evening I was craving something sweet and yummy, so I made the Cake in a Mug. I was seriously optimistic this time, you guys. Ha. No.
So this question I pose unto you: What am I doing wrong? I have all the right ingredients and have used all the right measurements, so I should not be having these problems. Is anyone else experiencing these difficulties, or are my taste buds just seriously messed up? (My mom says my expectations are too high. Funny.)
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Post by steffanie3 on Sept 9, 2014 22:52:26 GMT -5
What sweetener are you using?
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Post by Blessed Beyond Measure on Sept 10, 2014 14:25:53 GMT -5
I agree, what sweetener are you using? Sometimes the cocoa powder can make a difference too.
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Post by Gladden Grace on Sept 10, 2014 19:35:23 GMT -5
What sweetener are you using?
I've been using THM Sweet blend or stevia. I would think this explanation enough, but a couple recipes I've used haven't had a problem with how sweet it was, it was the consistency and general flavor.
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Post by stacylynn on Sept 10, 2014 22:22:20 GMT -5
Sometimes we have to adjust recipes to fit our personal tastes. That is what I am finding with my husband, who has a SERIOUS sweet tooth. Guess what? It's working! For instance, I had to seriously tweak the macaroons. My honey LOVES macaroons; my first batch was a crumble-y mess and not anywhere near sweet enough for him. I kept adjusting (and tasting as I went along) as I baked, toiled, and sweat over a hot stove. Finally, finally, they are acceptable. Success! He even took some along hunting, and didn't balk when the other guys called them poop cookies. Regarding consistency: is it possible that the stove, oven, cooking tools, experience, humidity or lack of, sea level, etc. might make the difference? Just a thought...to ponder as you continue to make the best of these very helpful and healthy ideas. You got this, girl! You can make this happen! Sometimes we must adjust to fit our place in life.
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Post by steffanie3 on Sept 10, 2014 23:06:29 GMT -5
Too much sweetener, particularly stevia extract can come across as bitter.
I am at kind of a loss, besides the ideas stacylynn mentioned some mamas have mentioned having to go off sweets (sticking to fruit) for a couple of weeks for their taste-buds to adjust off of sugar.
I love the macaroons, I have to add more egg whites. I don't know how they would be salty, bitter could be too much stevia possibly.
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Post by deannac on Sept 14, 2014 23:03:13 GMT -5
I'm new too. Don't cry...(even though I did)! I didn't go to cooking school, but I LOVE to cook almost as much as I love to eat. I'm one of those people who actually cook out of a no-photograph Julia Child cookbook! I think we women can really glorify God to our families when we put delicious, CREATIVE, healthy food on the table. He has given us so many fun foods to work with. The suggestion to go off sugar for a while is a good one. I had a similar experience as you. In fact, I cannot like the puddings made with glucomannan, despite some valiant efforts (I love that it fills you up with no guilt and all that, but I just don't think it tastes good at all)! As a fellow newbie who likes my food to taste great, I say scour the Internet for pics and people who have been on THM for a while. There are some great recipes out there! Gwens nest has some, alldayidreamaboutfood has some too (she's diabetic, but has some good sweet stuff). Praying for you while I'm thinking of you!
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